Hartigan To Run For Governor

Democrat To Challenge Thompson

May 19, 1985|By Steve Neal, Political writer.

Atty. Gen. Neil Hartigan, who has been one of the state`s most prominent Democratic political figures for more than a decade, has decided to challenge Gov. James Thompson in 1986, according to well-placed sources.

``He`s definitely going,`` said a source close to Hartigan.

Ending months of speculation over his political future, Hartigan has told other leading Democrats that he is launching his campaign with a fundraiser next month and will formally announce his candidacy by Labor Day.

Thompson, who is expected to be running for an unprecedented fourth term, says Hartigan is his most formidable potential opponent and could be the strongest political rival he has yet faced.

The tall, red-haired Hartigan is considered one of the better stump speakers in Illinois politics and is a seasoned campaigner. The governor`s race would be the fourth statewide campaign for both Thompson and Hartigan.

Hartigan, 47, has indicated that he will seek the endorsement of the Illinois Democratic Central Committee and is a heavy favorite to receive the party`s backing.

Former U.S. Sen. Adlai Stevenson III, who was edged out by Thompson in 1982 and has considered making another challenge for governor, has indicated it is unlikely he will oppose Hartigan. Another potential candidate, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D., Chicago), has all but ruled out a race against Hartigan in the wake of polls showing him running a distant second to the attorney general, according to legislative sources.

State Senate President Philip Rock (D., Oak Park), who also is interested in the governorship, said recently that he would seek the Democratic nomination only if Hartigan chose not to run.

Hartigan`s decision to seek the office sets the stage for a possible three-way contest in the Democratic primary for attorney general among Rock, State Comptroller Roland Burris and Chicago Ald. Martin Oberman (43d).

Although Hartigan has long been interested in seeking the governorship, he also had been weighing the possibility of seeking re-election as attorney general next year instead of taking his chances against Thompson. Several of Hartigan`s political associates had predicted he would run for another term as attorney general because the odds favored his re-election while his prospects against Thompson were even at best.

Hartigan, son of a former Chicago alderman and a political protege of Mayor Richard Daley, easily defeated a Thompson ally, former Atty. Gen. Tyrone Fahner, in 1982. Hartigan was lieutenant governor from 1973 to 1977.

Just last month, Hartigan commissioned a poll that tested his strength as a candidate for both offices. The statewide survey, taken by Democratic pollster J. Michael McKeon, showed Hartigan running in a dead heat with Thompson for governor. The poll also reported that Hartigan holds a wide edge over any potential rival for attorney general.

Hartigan, who underwent emergency surgery last month for an appendectomy and has been recovering at home, is described as particularly eager to resume his political activity because of Thompson`s high-profile activities this month that have included presiding over a clemency hearing for convicted rapist Gary Dotson and dedicating the new State of Illinois Center.

``He`d like to announce his candidacy tomorrow,`` said a campaign adviser who asked not to be identified.

Hartigan thinks Thompson is vulnerable for his handling of the Illinois economy and also because of his political longevity. Thompson, who has been in office longer than any of his predecessors, has indicated he may raise $10 million for his re-election effort. Hartigan strategists have said they hope to raise about $5 million. Despite Thompson`s expected edge in campaign money, many Democrats are optimistic about Hartigan`s prospects of becoming the first Democratic governor in a decade.

Though most of them have not made public commitments yet, Hartigan is likely to gain the support of such influential Democratic leaders as U.S. Sen. Alan Dixon, U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, Cook County Democratic chairman Edward Vrdolyak, Mayor Harold Washington, state Democratic chairman Calvin Sutker, state AFL-CIO president Bob Gibson, Cook County State`s Atty. Richard Daley, Chicago park Supt. Edmund Kelly, Cook County Assessor Thomas Hynes, Ald. Edward Burke (14th), Burris, and Sangamon County chairman Todd Renfrow, who is chairman of the association of Democratic county chairmen.

Renfrow already has lined up the endorsements of almost half of the state`s 102 county chairmen for Hartigan and has gained commitments for Hartigan from more than 40 Downstate Democratic officials. Within a month, Renfrow said that he expects to have signed up more than 250 Downstate Democratic leaders for the Hartigan campaign.

Dixon, who will be running for re-election to the U.S. Senate next year, has been among the chief promoters of Hartigan`s candidacy because he thinks the Chicago Democrat is the party`s strongest candidate and will strengthen his own prospects for re-election. Dixon has been in touch with Hartigan`s staff about arranging joint political appearances.

Rostenkowski has privately been advising Hartigan in preparation for the race with Thompson. Washington has publicly referred to Hartigan as ``the next governor`` and has left little doubt about his sympathies.